CIMM Committee Report
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CONCLUSION
If we view our border as a continuum that touches our neighbour the United States and flows overseas to foreign visa posts, we begin to understand that border security cannot be accomplished without regional, national and international cooperation and coordination. This point has been emphatically brought home to the Committee many times through the course of this study. As we work toward ensuring a safe and secure North America in a post-September 11th world, we are encouraged by the fact that so much cooperation is already occurring, especially on the ground between Canadian and U.S. border officials who work side-by-side each day. We must continue to facilitate the exchange of information and intelligence at all levels.
After talking to personnel on both sides of the border and viewing first-hand the current situation at various ports of entry across the country, we are convinced that both our governments must place a particular emphasis on the facilitation of low-risk, frequent traffic — both travellers and commercial transporters — so that more attention and resources can be focused on the primary security concerns: terrorists, criminals, people smugglers and traffickers, potentially high-risk individuals, and those seeking to take advantage of Canada’s generous humanitarian assistance for legitimate refugees. The refugee protection system must not be abused, but focusing primarily on refugees as a major threat to security would be misleading. Yes, we must focus, but in the right directions.
The Committee emphasizes the need for more resources. The bottom line is that Citizenship and Immigration Canada along with its partner agencies in border security need more resources to work with: people, intelligence, training, technological tools, new facilities. Expectations are high, but cannot be met without more resources. Port-of-entry personnel are already experiencing increased pressure and demands placed on them following the tragic events of September 11th. The Committee was deeply impressed by the quality and commitment of Canada’s border personnel. Now is the time to give them a much needed helping hand.
Immigration has played a fundamental role in the evolution of Canada. It must continue to do so. As we tackle the complex issue of border security, we must remember that our safety and prosperity, as well as our reputation as a humane country, depend on an immigration policy that protects Canadians while welcoming newcomers.